Get Out of Your Own Way (Make Space for God)

When it comes to connecting with God, even good things can be obstacles. We have to get out of our own way and make space to cultivate our relationship with the Lord. 

When it comes to connecting with God, even good things can be obstacles. We have to get out of our own way and make space to cultivate our relationship with the Lord. Click To Tweet

My repeated request of God is simple: Tell me what to do. Guide me. I’ll follow. Yet I fill some of my days so full, I’m not sure I could hear Him even if He stood next to me and yelled.

An Over-Engaged Mind

Now I’m careful about what I expose my heart and mind to. I don’t watch much TV. I primarily listen to uplifting and edifying music. While I try to stay up to date on what’s going on in the world, I limit my news watching/listening. Most days I feel I make good choices. Yet those choices are many and fill most of each day. 

This past week, I attended a talk on Alzheimer’s Disease. I know the importance of keeping our minds active and engaged. But having something always occupying our thoughts leaves little bandwidth to register God’s messages. Having our minds constantly engaged robs us of the opportunity to hear and relate to the Lord.  Those many good things that occupy our senses become noise, preventing us from listening to and connecting with God.

It's important to keep our minds active and engaged. But having something always occupying our thoughts leaves little bandwidth to register God's messages. Click To Tweet

Having our minds constantly engaged robs us of the opportunity to hear and relate to the Lord. Those many good things that occupy our senses become noise, preventing us from listening to and connecting with God. Click To Tweet

God’s Nudge to Get Out of My Way

Recently I felt an urgent need for solitude. I had been feeling restless and a bit distant from God for some time. The desire to draw near to Him couldn’t be ignored, and I needed to go solo to do so. So I kissed my husband and kids good-bye and drove 665 miles away for a several-day solo backpacking trip in the Red River Gorge Geological Area in Kentucky (and a day visit to The Ark Encounter Christian theme park to explore the life-sized ark and enjoy some gospel music ). 

I needed a mental, emotional, and physical challenge. More importantly, though, I needed space to pray, to think, to listen with minimal distractions: days that were blank slates. That could only be found away from technology and people. I needed to make space for God, and for me that could only be done unplugged and in solitude. 

And the trip delivered. God didn’t answer all the questions and concerns I have, but I feel closer to Him than I have for quite some time. I grew in many ways from the challenges of the trip. I returned recharged and strengthened, ready to step out in faith, trusting God for each step, even when I’m not certain where He’s taking me. I’m renewed. 

Make Space for God

Not everyone can (or should) go on a multi-day solo backpacking trip (but if you can, I strongly encourage it). However, everyone can and should be intentional to get out of their own way, to make space to grow an intimate relationship with God.

Everyone can and should be intentional to get out of their own way, to make space to grow an intimate relationship with God. Click To Tweet

Maybe for you that’s hiding in your closet for a sacred 15 minutes every morning or evening to be alone with the Lord. Perhaps it involves taking a few hours once a week to set aside all the to-dos calling you; turn off music, news, and podcasts; tune out others you share life with; and escape with God alone to a favorite place. Making space for God boils down to making a conscience effort to be alone and undistracted with God.

Whatever God-space time you adopt, make sure you don’t make the mistake of filling it with things that seem good but will rob you of connecting deeply with Him. That was my previous “quiet time.”

Making space for God boils down to making a conscience effort to be alone and undistracted with Him. Don't make the mistake of filling it with things that seem good but will rob you of connecting deeply with Him. Click To Tweet

Anything that arrests your attention should be avoided during your God-space time. Even listening to gospel music. Even watching or listening to godly teaching. I’d say even reading a devotional can cause a disconnect between you and the Lord because it’s incorporating another’s words/thoughts. Those things aren’t bad by any means, and there’s a time for them, but your God-space time should only include you and the Lord.

Every day we find ourselves plugged in. Tethered to our phones, we remain constantly connected to media and each other, facing a constant feed of data and rarely getting a break from input.

Getting out of my way and getting alone with God is exactly what this gal needed to be recharged, refreshed, and renewed in my faith. Jesus knew how important this was. During His earthly ministry, we read of Him going off alone to pray in an area free of distractions. 

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Mark 1:35

How much more do we need it! So give it a try. Tune out distractions, and make regular space for God. 

Reflections: Is unplugging from all distractions and spending one-on-one time with God difficult for you? What would your ideal God-space time look like? If you could, would you get away for an extended solo time every few months or would you rather have shorter time periods every day or every week to make space for God?

By His grace ≈

Julie